Tanzania Self-Drive Itinerary – 4×4 with Rooftop Tent
Start & end: Dar es Salaam
Car pickup: Sunday 26 April
Travel dates: Monday 27 April – Sunday 3 May
Focus: National parks, wildlife, local villages & scenery
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Day 0 – Sunday 26 April: Dar es Salaam | Pick up 4×4
• Arrive in Dar es Salaam.
• Pick up the 4×4 with rooftop tent.
• Do a full vehicle check: spare tire, jack, water, fuel, camping gear.
• Stock up on groceries, water and fuel.
• Overnight stay in or just outside Dar es Salaam.
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Day 1 – Monday 27 April: Dar es Salaam → Saadani National Park
Drive: ± 3–4 hours
• Drive north to Saadani National Park – the only park in Tanzania where wildlife meets the Indian Ocean.
• Afternoon game drive: elephants, giraffes, buffalo, antelope and coastal scenery.
• Overnight: campsite or lodge near/inside Saadani NP.
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Day 2 – Tuesday 28 April: Saadani → Mikumi National Park
Drive: ± 4–5 hours
• Scenic drive inland toward Mikumi National Park.
• Afternoon safari across the open Mkata floodplain.
• Excellent chances to see elephants, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and lions.
• Overnight: public campsite inside Mikumi NP (rooftop tent).
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Day 3 – Wednesday 29 April: Mikumi → Udzungwa Mountains area
Drive: ± 2–3 hours
• Optional early morning game drive in Mikumi.
• Continue to the Udzungwa Mountains region.
• Short hike to waterfalls or forest trails (great contrast with savannah).
• Visit nearby villages such as Mang’ula to experience local life.
• Overnight: nature campsite or simple lodge near Udzungwa.
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Day 4 – Thursday 30 April: Udzungwa → Ruaha National Park
Drive: ± 5–6 hours (long but rewarding)
• Drive toward Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s wildest and least crowded park.
• Afternoon game drive: large elephant herds, lions, kudu, baobab landscapes.
• Overnight: campsite inside or near Ruaha NP.
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Day 5 – Friday 1 May: Ruaha National Park
• Full day in Ruaha NP.
• Morning and afternoon game drives.
• This park is known for predators and dramatic scenery.
• Overnight: same campsite in Ruaha.
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Day 6 – Saturday 2 May: Ruaha → Morogoro region
Drive: ± 6–7 hours
• Early departure from Ruaha.
• Long but scenic drive back toward eastern Tanzania.
• Stop at small roadside villages and local markets.
• Overnight: campsite or lodge near Morogoro.
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Day 7 – Sunday 3 May: Morogoro → Dar es Salaam
Drive: ± 4–5 hours
• Drive back to Dar es Salaam.
• Return the 4×4 and camping equipment.
• Lunch by the ocean or last-minute shopping.
• Departure.
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Highlights
• Saadani NP: safari + beach combination
• Mikumi NP: classic savannah wildlife, very accessible
• Udzungwa Mountains: waterfalls, rainforest & villages
• Ruaha NP: remote, wild and uncrowded safari experience
• Rooftop tent freedom: sleep close to nature, flexible route